Last updated 14:27, Thursday, 03 April 2008

Eye on the Ball with Alan Irving

WHEN I was working for BNFL, we used to describe the potential for the most serious nuclear accidents as being so unlikely as to be inconceivable.

And it was based on the most pessimistic worst case scenario.

So although it’s on an entirely different scale, rugby-wise what do we make of the bombshell event which has seen the enigmatic Ged Stokes take over Whitehaven RLFC’s coaching reins and what, if any, will be the fallout?

Confusion at Terminal 5 and Castleford’s dabble with Dwain Chambers seemed to pale by comparison for nonplussed Haven fans as the club’s new Board moved with the pace it felt it had to in appointing a successor to the unfortunate Paul Crarey.

Some fans thought April Fool’s Day had come early. Yes, it was so unlikely as to be improbable but should we be pessimistic? Maybe not.

Maybe the New Zealander who was sacked for “gross misconduct” at Workington Town can do at Whitehaven what Paul Crarey set his heart on doing – is anyone really doubting his credentials?

Within 48 hours of Paul quitting from his hospital bed, the Kiwi had agreed to take over (both events reported exclusively on The Whitehaven News website) without the position being advertised.

Some would have preferred to let the dust settle, and allow Peter Smith and his two assistants, David Seeds and Dave Smith, the chance temporarily to rectify the team’s wretched start. Especially as the trio can take the credit for last Sunday’s startling turnabout in form.

With time of the essence, Gordon Grace & Co chose instead to go for a controversial quick fix.

Chairman Grace told me: “I have interviewed hundreds of people for jobs and I am convinced Ged Stokes is the man for this job.”

His job-clinching qualities? – “Leadership, experience, self belief and confidence – all in abundance”.

So the Board took the view that the pros and cons of what happened (off the field) at Derwent Park should have no relevance on Stokes’ tenure at the Recreation Ground. They regard him as “a strong, resolute” character who has already had a good reception from the players.

Judge as you find but there’s no doubt that the new head coach will have to mind his Ps and Qs and I have no doubt Haven’s directors have made this crystal clear.

It’s been the most traumatic start to any Whitehaven season I can recall (on and off the field) so what’s needed now is stability.

Now that the club has escaped administration by the skin of its teeth, Ged Stokes must be accepted warts ‘n’ all to make sure that the force which saw the side almost pull it off at Widnes stays with Haven for the rest of the season.

There has been some stokin’-up of anti-Ged feeling and, by all accounts, some fans say they won’t be going back to support the team. I reckon a few good results might well change all that.

I’m sure Ged can’t believe his luck in this competitive age of coaching but, at the same time, he has to be given his chance. Is it a case of the right place, the right time and the right man? I have an uncanny feeling that the ex-New Zealand assistant coach might have what it takes to confound the critics.

What Ged has to bring to Haven now is some hard-nosed Kiwi nous, motivation, discipline, an uncluttered game plan and the kind of on-field leadership which Crarey felt was lacking – how he’d have loved an Aaron Lester to drive from the front.

That Widnes felt a backlash last Sunday was highly predictable – Haven “did it for Paul” but also for themselves because the stick they were taking all week was fierce and they knew they had let down their coach.

Paul Crarey’s angina attack came in the fallout of Easter Monday’s awful home defeat by Batley and, as a rugby man who wore his heart on a sleeve, I know he was worried about the things that had gone wrong.

Hindsight is truly a wonderful thing, but it’s a pity Dave Rotheram was allowed to leave Whitehaven for Workington so that the old Board could “take a new direction” – who would have thought it would come from Derwent Park?

There’s still a long way to go on Route 2008, but it could be that if Ged Stokes gets his new charges to play for him with the requisite pride and desire then he will have the last laugh. I hope so because that means the equally enigmatic Haven will have done well.